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Causing a Crash Can Lead to Imprisonment or Fines

Posted By Staff || 13-Dec-2013

In the event of a multiple vehicle car crash that causes injuries, police reports are typically filed to establish who was at fault for the wreck. The at-fault driver is often held liable when the injured victim or family members that lost loved ones brings a legal claim against them. These are typically labeled personal injury lawsuits and can result in monetary damages awarded to the victim or family members of a victim.

Sometimes, those at fault for a car crashes that result in the wrongful death of another person face even more daunting outcomes. In the state of Georgia, vehicular homicide charges can be brought against the person that causes a crash. There are two degrees of homicide by vehicle: first and second degree. First degree convictions can lead to 3 to 15 years of imprisonment. This type of conviction often occurs when a driver doesn't stop after causing a wreck, drove recklessly, was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if they were a habitual violator. Second degree homicide by vehicle is a misdemeanor, but can result in up to a year of imprisonment and hefty fines.

A November car crash in northwest Atlanta led to a man being cited with failure to yield, as well as misdemeanor second-degree vehicular homicide. The crash occurred on Friday, November 22, when a pickup truck clipped the rear of a vehicle that held a child in the back seat. Unfortunately, the child lost her life at an area hospital as a result of the crash. The driver of the truck had a green light, but was found to be at fault because he did not allow the car to clear the Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway and Fulton Industrial Boulevard intersection prior to making the turn.

This crash, as well as many others in the metro-Atlanta area in which victims lose their lives, are horrific. Although the at-fault driver often does not mean to cause the crash, they end up being charged anyway simply because of a mistake. Our thoughts are prayers are with both the family of the girl who lost her life, as well as the driver of the truck that caused the crash.

If you or someone you know have been injured or lost loved ones in a crash caused by another driver, you may have legal rights to compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. For more information on your rights in a personal injury lawsuit, contact our reputable law firm today at (770) 427-5498 or online at
www.awjlaw.com.

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